May 1/12 9:45 am - GreenEdge Announces New Title Sponsor

Posted by Editoress on 05/1/12

It was an open secret at the Tour of Turkey, but now it is official; WorldTour team GreenEdge has named a corporate title sponsor: global mining company Orica Limited. Orica is a explosives, mining chemicals and mining services and Australia’s largest chemical company. The team will now be called Orica-GreenEdge. The sponsorship is for three years, and the new uniforms will be seen at the Giro d'Italia and Tour of California. Canadians Svein Tuft and Christian Meier both ride for Orica-GreenEdge.

“This is a rare and fantastic opportunity to secure the founding co-naming sponsorship with this ground-breaking sporting venture. GreenEdge is the first Australian team at this level and it offers Orica a powerful sports marketing platform, perfectly aligned with our values and drivers,” says Ian Smith, Managing Director and CEO of Orica.

“Cycling is dynamic, competitive and truly appeals to a global audience. We have a lot in common with the team; we’re both multi-national organisations with an Australian DNA, and we share mutual aspirations driven by a focus on innovation and team work. This sponsorship forms one of the strategic platforms for Orica to increase its brand presence in key global markets and we’re convinced that the world-class performances of this team will help provide ongoing global exposure,” Smith continues.

Team founder and owner, Gerry Ryan said, “We’re extremely proud to be teaming up with Orica in our debut season and onwards. It’s the perfect partner for us and we couldn’t have found a more ambitious and forward thinking company to get onboard.

“We have had a dream start to our sporting goals, winning big races and putting GreenEdge on the map in professional cycling. This relationship with Orica, and our existing partners, will continue to make GreenEdge grow - for the athletes, for our fantastic fans and for cycling in general. It’s a significant milestone for us,” Ryan says.

The Orica logo will feature prominently on the team kit at its Grand Tour debut and at this year’s Amgen Tour of California. A whole new visual identity for Orica-GreenEdge will be launched before the world’s biggest race: the Tour de France at the end of June.

Orica will also become the co-naming sponsor of the women’s team run by GreenEdge.

GreenEdge and Orica have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a three-year sponsorship agreement.